Join us at the Mount Morris Dam for a field trip that you won’t forget!

The Mount Morris Dam offers special tours for school groups, tour busses, scouts, and other groups of 20 or more.

Below are descriptions of the different tours that we offer.

a.      Promenade Tour – Allow 45 minutes for this tour. A Promenade Tour is designed for large groups that are short on time or have difficulty walking up/down stairs or a gradual sloping road. Once the group arrives, the visitors have the opportunity to view our 15 minute video which describes key elements of the dam and how it works. Following the video, a park ranger will guide the group to the overlook and present a short talk about the Mount Morris Dam. After the talk, visitors have the opportunity to explore informational exhibits in the Visitor Center.  

b.      Top of Dam Tour – Allow approx 1 hour for this tour. Groups opting for a Top of Dam Tour can expect to walk up and down along a sloped roadway (1/2 mile round trip). A Top of the Dam Tour includes a guided walking tour down into the gorge to the top of the Mount Morris Dam. From here, there are great photo opportunities and amazing views of the gorge and the river from a unique perspective. After a short talk, the group will walk back up the hill to the Visitor Center where visitors may explore informational exhibits or watch our 15 minute video which describes key elements of the dam and how it works. 

c.      Full Tour and Visitor Center – Allow 1.5 - 2 hours for this tour. Groups opting for a Full Tour can expect to walk up and down along a sloped roadway (1/2 mile round trip). The Full Tour is designed for those groups that have enough time to explore the inside of dam. This tour includes a brief orientation at the Visitor Center, followed by a guided walk down into the gorge to the top of the dam. After a brief talk, the group will travel in an elevator down some 20 stories and walk through a large tunnel way into the operating gallery to see the inner workings of the Mount Morris Dam. Once the tour has concluded, the group will walk back up the hill to the Visitor Center where they may explore the informational exhibits or watch our 15 minute video which describes key elements of the dam and how it works. 

All individuals participating in a tour of Mount Morris Dam please review the following:

1.      It is required that all tour participants sign a liability waiver prior to taking a Full Tour or Top of the Dam Tour. Attached is the liability waiver; completion is required for both adults and children (signed by parent or guardian) participating in the tour.

2.      Each tour can accommodate up to 35 people at one time. For groups larger than 35, alternative options may be available.

3.      Tours may be cancelled due to severe weather, flood control operations, higher security threat levels, or maintenance. Should one of these conditions occur, we will contact the tour coordinator immediately.

4.      Motion and still photographs are not permitted inside the dam. However, photos are allowed outside and on top of the structure.

5.      Backpacks are not allowed inside the dam.

6. Teachers and tour guides are responsible for their groups. We do not allow running, climbing, or touching any controls in the dam. Please plan to include chaperones to assist with school groups.

           Considerations before taking a tour of the dam:

1. This is a walking tour. Wear comfortable shoes; flip flops and sandals are not recommended. We walk approximately a 1/2 mile round trip (up and down a sloped roadway, which descends/ascends 150 feet in elevation). To go inside the dam, the elevator travels 200 feet into the dam, we then walk through tunnel ways (5’ wide x 7’ high) to explore the dam. Some tunnel ways inside the dam may be damp.

2. The full tour is not recommended for individuals who are sensitive to heights or claustrophobic.

3.      The concrete passageways inside the dam remain between 40°F and 50°F year round.  A sweatshirt or jacket is recommended.

4.      Be prepared for the weather. About half of the tour is outdoors so it is recommended to have rain gear and umbrellas handy.

5.      Tours will not take place during thunderstorms and severe weather. If this occurs, the Visitor Center will still be available to explore informational exhibits and view our 15 minute video.

We hope to see you for a tour of the Mount Morris Dam. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at 585-658-4790.

We hope you have a safe and enjoyable visit to the Mount Morris Dam!

          Sincerely, 

          The Mount Morris Dam Team